Can I continue a PC build without a CPU cooler for now?

February 14, 2025 8:44 AM

I am building my first PC tower in more than 20 years. The AIO cooler I bought is a huge PITA to install and I think I'd prefer to get something more basic. Basic cooler won't come till Monday. Can I continue my build and complete it without the cooler just for now? My case has built-in fans.

By completing I mean...

1. testing everything except the cooler outside the case to ensure I get to the BIOS
2. putting everything in the case
3. installing Windows 10 and maybe BG3

I welcome other advice as the AIO cooler issues have kind of made me cry and I don't want to deal with them anymore unless I need to.

Other components:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor

Power Supply:MSI MAG A750GL PCIE 5.1 & ATX 3.1 Gaming Power Supply

GPU: Asrock RX 7600XT Steel Legend 16GB OC Graphic Card - 16GB GDDR6, 2X HDMI, 2X DP
** Something about this graphics card feels off and I don't know how to explain it. I haven't installed it yet. It was $350.

Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard

posted by The Adventure Begins to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Best answer: Just wait. The CPU cooler is a critical component.
posted by agentofselection at 8:46 AM on February 14 [10 favorites]

Best answer: I give you permission to run your PC without a CPU cooler or heatsink, provided you keep your thumb on the CPU and switch off the PC as soon as you smell meat cooking. I'd give it 5 seconds, max.

So no, wait for the CPU heatsink and fan.
posted by pipeski at 8:53 AM on February 14 [25 favorites]

Response by poster: provided you keep your thumb on the CPU and switch off the PC as soon as you smell meat cooking

thank you for evoking a deeply visceral reaction with this piece of advice

I will wait
posted by The Adventure Begins at 9:15 AM on February 14 [10 favorites]

Your question has already been answered, and this is not an answer to it, but:

installing Windows 10

Support for Windows 10 ends this year, so you should probably install Windows 11.
posted by number9dream at 9:21 AM on February 14 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: Ah, understood! I will load that up on my USB instead. Thank you very much!
posted by The Adventure Begins at 9:52 AM on February 14 [1 favorite]

There's a good chance the motherboard won't even try to boot if it doesn't detect a heatsink fan or AIO cooler plugged into it. If you're lucky it should also automatically power off if it detects the temperature is above a threshold (usually around 90-95C). If you're not lucky, you'll be replacing the overcooked CPU with your own pocket money, 'cause AMD sure won't cover that under warranty.

Nthing waiting, it's definitely the safest bet.
posted by Aleyn at 11:14 AM on February 14

Response by poster: exciting update: I decided to try to install the AIO one more time and while attempting to wrangle it onto my cpu it slipped and I somehow got thermal paste on my bicep and now I have a rash!

I love DIY projects sooooooooo much you guys
posted by The Adventure Begins at 3:33 PM on February 14 [5 favorites]